Blood Test Identifies Immune Response in Multiple Sclerosis Patients, Paves Way for New Treatments

Researchers have created a blood test to detect multiple sclerosis (MS) patients’ immunological responses, which may help us understand and treat the disease.

Around 2.8 million individuals worldwide have the autoimmune condition affecting the brain and spinal cord, impairing mobility, vision, balance, and feeling. Symptoms vary by person, nerve fiber injury location, and intensity and might be intermittent or persistent.

The causes of MS are unknown; however, a family history may raise the risk. MS has no cure, although therapy can lessen symptoms, avoid relapses, and improve quality of life, according to the World Health Organization.

A Step Closer to MS Cure

Multiple studies have shown that MS patients have a high incidence of Epstein-Barr virus. A 2022 research of over 10 million young adults ultimately established this relationship epidemiologically. The 20-year research indicated that EBV infection raised MS risk 32-fold. Researchers found no other viral infections that increased MS risk.

Immunosuppressive medications, which have serious negative effects, treat MS. Antiviral medicines that target EBV may be an alternative that does not suppress the immune system.

The new blood test assesses MS patients‘ immunological response to EBV, which is stronger than in other neurological conditions or healthy people. This suggests the immunological response to EBV is critical to MS development, according to ScienceAlert.

Moreover, researchers discovered that MS medications that reduce B cells restore the immunological response to EBV, confirming the idea that they target virus-carrying B cells.

Future MS clinical studies of antiviral medicines or vaccinations against EBV might use the novel blood test to evaluate treatment efficacy.

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Promising Liquid Gold Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

In April, with CNM-Au8, a liquid with gold nanocrystals, researchers may have found “gold” in treating MS. Clinical experiments showed that drinking this improved MS symptoms.

Researchers say CNM-Au8, developed by Clene Nanomedicine in North East, Maryland, is a “catalytically active” liquid that may pass the blood-brain barrier to boost cellular energy and neurological function.

Fox News reported that University of Sydney doctors presented Phase 2 clinical trial data at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting. The trial comprised 78 relapsed MS patients. CNM-Au8 demonstrated “profound clinical benefit,” with patients showing physical improvements that were not seen in earlier trials.

Progress independent of relapse activity (PIRA) occurs in certain MS patients, despite current treatments targeting inflammation. This non-inflammatory component of the illness worsens vision and cognition, according to Dr. Robert C. Sergott, chairman of the neuro-ophthalmology service at Wills Eye Hospital and professor at Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia.

Researchers believed mitochondrial dysfunction-energy-producing cell structures-was causing these symptoms. According to Sergott, they theorized that if they could provide the mitochondria an “extra boost,” the cells, including neurons and axons, in the central nervous system might improve their function. He added that they believe the cells are just “hibernating,” not dead.

Previously, gold nanoparticles treated rheumatoid arthritis. A unique electrochemical approach by Clene Nanomedicine produces highly pure gold nanoparticles tiny enough to traverse the blood-brain barrier and target cells.

The excellent results of CNM-Au8 give promise for novel MS treatments, especially for non-inflammatory disease progression.

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